Picture frame securing device



May 8, 1956 w. AUERBAcH-LEVY 2,744,346

PICTURE FRAME SECURING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1952 2 sheets-sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

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May 8v 1956 w. AUERBAcH-LEVY 2,744,346

PICTURE FRAME SECURING DEVICE Filed June/ 2,4, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

m.; Lw/M IUnited States Patent" y 2,744,346 PICTURE FRAMESECURING DEVICEWilliam Auerbach-Levy, New York, N. Y. Application June 24, 1952, SerialNo. 295,370

4 Claims. (Cl. 40-156) This invention relates generally to picture framesecuring devices, and more particularly to a type which is adapted todetachably secure a canvas-stretching frame element with attached canvasmember to an outer decorative frame element.

In the past there have been many such devices, all of which havesuffered from various disadvantages. Several among them require the useof special tools for easy operation. f Others oder no yprovision foraccommodating more ythan a single size of stretching-frame, while stillothers which may accommodate avariety of sizes cut the canvas memberupon engagngthe stretching frame. For the most part they have been of arelatively liimsy construction that is easily damaged with any degree ofrough handling. It is, therefore, among the Aprincipal objects of thepresent invention to provide a picture frame securing device in whichthe above mentioned disadvantages have been avoided.

Another object of the invention herein lies in the provision of a deviceof the class described in which no special tools of any type arerequired lwhen using the device, and which may be conveniently employedby those possessing only ordinary skill.

Another object of the present invention herein lies in the provision ofa device which may accommodate a number of stretcher frame elements ofvarying thicknesses kwithout damage to said stretcher frame elements orthe canvas members secured thereon.

Still another object of the invention herein lies in the provision of adevice of the class described in which the Vstructure thereof may be ofa strength suicient to withstand all but the roughest usage.

, A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a device ofthe class describedin which the vcost of fabrication .may be of arelatively low order, with corresponding wide sale and distribution.

Afeature of the devicey lies in the fact that the principal" partsthereof ,may be readily formed from sheet metal stampings, expensivecastings being unnecessary.

' Another yfeature, of the device lies in the fact that it is pivotallymounted for movement in two perpendicular planes, thereby offering amaximum of convenience for manipulation by .the user. n n Y :Theseobjects and features, as well as other incidental objects and advantages.will become more fully apparent during thev course of the vfollowingdisclosure `and be pointed out in the appended claims.

'"sEigure l4 is a.. verticalr .fragmentary sectional view as .seen fromthe plane 4.--4 on Figure 3.

i 1VFigur'eS is a fragmentary sectional view corresponding tothelowerright *handl portion of Figure 3, butshowing 'an'.alternatey form lofthe embodiment.

.Figure `6 is ra rhorizontalfragmentary sectional view, correspondinggenerally to Figure 3 but showing a second =embodiment of the`invention.

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Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the embodiment.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary Vertical transverse sectional viewas seen from the plane 8 8 on Figure 6.

The device, generally indicated by reference character 10, includesbroadly a mounting element 12, a first pivotal element 14, a secondpivotalelement 16 and a tension spring 18. As has been suggested, therst three mentioned parts are preferably formed from sheet metalstampings in order that the cost of manufacture may be of a low order.The tension spring is formed from spring steel wire.

Referring to Figure l there is shown a standard assembly in general usewhich includes an outer or decorative frame 20 in which is detachablydisposed a stretcher frame 22 upon which is mounted a canvas member 24(see Figures 4 and 5). Mounted upon the frame 20 are a plurality of thedevices 10, in this case four in number. It is to be understood ofcourse that this number is by way of example only, since in the case oflarger assemblies it may be necessary to employ a greater number, whilein an assembly of very small dimensions it may be necessary to use onlytwo.

As may be bestrseen on Figures 2 and 3, the mounting element 1S may beof any suitable conguration, and comprises a planar member having meansfor mounting upon the frame 2l) such as the screws 26, and pivotalmounting means upon which the rst pivotal element may be secured. Thisis best accomplished by means of a spread rivet 28.

The iirst pivotal element 14 includes a base member 30 which ispivotally connected to the mounting element 12 by the rivet 28, and apair of normally disposed flange members 32 and 34 which as may be seenon Figures 3 and 4 are preferably integral with the base member 30 andof generally semicircular coniiguration. Each of the ilange members 32and 34 is provided with a circular orifice as at 36 and 38 through whichmay passthe pintle member 40, which provides means for pivotallymounting the second pivotal element 16.

The second pivotal element 16 includes a main or base portion 42 sideflanges 44 and 46 anda tongue portion 4S. As may be seen on Figure 3 theflanges 46 and 48 may be in the shape of a sector of a circle, and areprovided with circular orifices 50 and 52 through which the pintlemember 40 may pass. The pintle is vretained in position after assemblyof the device 10 by heading the extremity at 54. The main or baseportion 42 is generally curvilinear in shape and is preferably integralwithv the tongue portion 48.

The tongue portion 48 is of S-shaped conliguration as best seen onFigure 3, and includes a first substantially planar portion 56, a lirstcurved portion 58, a second planar portion 60, and a curved frameengaging portion 62. A positive engagement with the stretching frame 22is assured by the cleats 64,v or if the installation is to be of a morepermanent nature by means of the screw means 66 shown on Figure 5.

The tension spring 18, as has been suggested, is preferably formed froma singlepiece of spring steel wire, and serves to normally urge thesecond pivotal element 16 in a clockwise direction as seen on Figure 3with respect to theiirst pivotal element 14. lt includes a stationaryportion 68, coil portions 7t disposed about the pintle member 4t), andVmovable portions 72, through which the torque of the spring istransmitted. As may be seen on Figure 4 the termini of the spring areinsertable within two small orifices 74'Yand' 76. f Although the coil`portions 70 are shown as having :but'one convolution, it is to beunderstood thatvthis is by way of example only, the number ofconvolutions of course'depending upon The operation of `theldeviceisextremely simple. As-

suming that the canvas member 24 is suitably tacked to the stretchingframe 22 and is otherwise prepared for mounting, the mounting elements12 are suitably secured to the rear surface of the frame 20 so that thetongue portions 18 are positioned in the rabbet 7S. The tongue portionsare then lifted against the action of the springs v18 and rotated aboutan axis through the center of the rivets 23 until the frame engagingportion 62 mayrest upon the surface of the frame 20. The stretchingframe 22 with attached canvas member is then placed within the rabbet 78after which the second pivotal elet ent is returned to its originalposition. As may be seen on Figure 3 the exact position of the tongueportion 48 when engaged with the stretching frame 22 will depend to a4large degree upon the thickess of the latter, that is to say upon thedistance between the surfaces Si) and $2. Should it be desired to removethe frame 22 for the purpose of employing the frame 2i) to displayanother picture it is only necessary to reverse the above describedoperation.

lf desired, the outwardly disposed screw 26 may be replaced by a wellknown type of screw eye (not shown) which may provide means not only forretaining the device in position on the outer frame 20, but also permitsof engagement of said device with a suitable wire by which the same maybe hung.

lt will of course be understood that the stretching frame 22 may bereplaced by wooden panels, if the picture to be displayed has beenpainted thereupon.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, in which to avoidneedless repetition, certain of the parts corresponding to those of thefirst embodiment have been designated by the same reference characterswith the additional prefix 1.

The second embodiment of the invention diers from the first embodiment,principally in the integration of the mounting element 12 and the firstpivotal element 14. -'hereas in the rst embodiment the elements 12 and14 are joined by a rivet 23 permitting rotation of the element 14 withrespect to the element 12, in the second embodiment the first pivotalelement 114 is secured directly to the outer frame by means of a singlescrew 126 secured directly beneath the axis of the pintle member 414d.The flange member 32 of the rst embodiment has been completelyeliminated, there being present only the ilange member 134. The screw126 may be tightened or loosened through an elongated opening 184 in thesecond pivotal element 116, the equivalent pivotal motion about the axisof the rivet 28 being thereby obtained. In other respects, the operationof the second embodiment is generally similar to that of the rstembodiment.

lt may thus be seen that I have invented a novel and highly usefulimprovement in picture frame securing devices in which there is provideda means for attaching and detaching stretcher frame elements to outerframe elements with an ease and facility heretofore unobtainable. Thedevice is simple in construction, requires no special tools foroperation, and may be readily employed by those having a low degree ofmanual dexterity. Further, the stretching frame is positively held inposition throughout a wide range of adjustable positions in which thedevice is capable of operation.

l wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the exact details of structure set forth in this specication, forobvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to whichthe present invention relates.

I claim:

1. A picture frame securing device for use with an inner frame and anouter frame comprising: a iirst pivotal element, a second pivotalelement, and mounting means; said mounting means including a surfaceengageable with one of said frames and threaded means for maintainingsaid surface in contact with said frame; said .rst pivotal` element`being arranged for pivotal motion about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to said surface; said second pivotal element beinginterconnected for relative rotation with said iirst pivotal element bya pintle, the axis of which is substantially parallel to said surface;said second pivotal element having a tongue engageable with the other ofsaid frames; and resilient means interconnecting said rst and secondpivotal elements, serving to urge said second pivotal element to rotateabout said pintle with respect to said rst pivotal element whereby saidtongue is brought to bear upon said other frame.

2. A picture frame securing device for use with an inner frame and anouter frame comprising: a iirst pivotal element, a second pivotalelement, and mounting means; said mounting means including a surfaceengageable with one of said frames and threaded means for maintainingsaid surface in contact with said frame; said first pivotal elementbeing arranged for pivotal motion about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to said surface; said second pivotal element beinginterconnected for relative rotation with said rst pivotal element by apintle, the axis of which is substantially parallel to said surface;said second pivotal element having a tongue engageable with the other ofsaid frames; and resilient means on said pintle interconnecting said rstand second pivotal elements, serving to urge said second pivotal elementto rotate about said pintle with respect to said first pivotal elementwhereby said tongue is brought to bear upon said other frame.

3. A picture frame securing device for use with an inner frame and anouter frame comprising: a first pivotal element, a second pivotalelement, and a mounting element; said mounting element including asurface engageable with one of said frames and threaded means formaintaining said surface in contact with said frame; said first pivotalelement being arranged for pivotal motion upon said mounting elementabout an axis substantially perpendicular to said mounting element; saidsecond pivotal element being interconnected for relative motion withsaid first pivotal element by a pintle, the axis of which issubstantially parallel to said mounting element; said second pivotalelement having a tongue engageable with the other of said frames; andresilient means interconnecting said first and second pivotal elementsserving to urge said second pivotal element to rotate about said pintle,whereby said tongue is brought to bear upon said other frame.

4. A picture frame securing device for use with an inner frame and anouter frame comprising: a first pivotal element, a second pivotalelement, and a mounting element; said mounting element including asurface engageable with one of said frames and threaded means formaintaining said surface in contact with said frame; said tirst pivotalelement being arranged for pivotal motion upon said mounting elementabout an axis substantially perpendicular to said mounting element; saidsecond pivotal element being interconnected for relative motion withsaid first pivotal element by a pintle, the axis of which issubstantially parallel to said mounting element; said second pivotalelement having a tongue engageable with the other of said frames; andresilient means on said pintle interconnecting said rst and secondpivotal elements serving to urge said second pivotal element to rotateabout said pintle, whereby said tongue is brought to bear upon saidother frame.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 349,631Cutts Sept. 21, 1886 481,117 Naegele Aug. 16, 1892 1,059,764 Ringer Apr.22, 1913 1,836,161 Gates g. Dec. 15, 1931 2,489,477 Brecher Nov. 29,1949 2,516,239 Moss July 25, 1950 2,547,167 Nielsen Apr. 3, 19512,634,527 Pletscher Apr. 14, 1953

